What's happened to the cycle parking in the High St?

[mikej]

To my shock, awe and horror I have discovered that at least some (eg those outside the Co-op) of the previously existing cycle parking facilities (by this I mostly mean the metal things that one secure's ones cycle to whilst doing whatever in the High St - ie shopping, eating drinking &c) in Sydenham have simply VANISHED during the so-called improvement works in that road.

WHY?

If they merely haven't got round to putting them back yet, when will it be done? Cyclists have to survive too, as well as walkers and drivers, and it is deeply unfair that those of us who cycle as well as walk and drive have been apparently forgotten.

Can someone in the know please respond as soon as possible.

[Rachael]

Riney are the people who know - maybe pop into the office (with your bike!) and ask them.

[stuart]

When I last asked Riney didn't know. They were waiting for Lewisham to tell 'em where to go. When I asked if they might consult with local cyclists so they didn't put 'em in silly places like last time - there was a funny silence.

It happens to me a lot

Stuart

[mikej]

How can we expedite this process?
Do our local councillors read this forum?
They could get on to the council and sort this asap.
Why don't they?

[marymck]

I thought there were already some in place? But maybe I'm wrong. I hope they'll be in sensible places, so that we can still have a market and so as
not to impede disabled pedestrians and those with prams.

By the station would seem a good place and in the Girton road car park.

The pavements seem to me to be far too cluttered with advertising stands, filthy phone boxes and ill placed telecoms boxes.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[stuart]

Indeed some are Mary. But not where they are probably needed most - outside our busiest shop - the Co-op.

The previous lot were poorly positioned being of little use to cyclists and an unnecessary impediment to pedestrians. Also a cost to the community (Sheffield Stands don't come cheap). Hence a lose-lose-lose decision.

That's why everybody needs to work together over where street furniture gets put. The station is a good point here. The ideal place (for cyclists) would be if space could be found on the newly extended down platform. The ticket barriers would give an extra layer of protection from theft - an issue if we really want to influence our traffic mix.

Is anybody talking to anybody about this - perhaps the Sydenham Society?

Stuart

[jonathan_har]

When I asked Riney about removal of the knackered phone boxes they directed me to Lewisham, after much passing around there I finally ended up with this guy - Tom.Henry@lewisham.gov.uk - who seemed to be in charge, perhaps he knows about the cycle stands. Incredibly, it seemed that removal / replacement of the boxes was not part of the High St works although Mr Henry assured me that he would like rid of them and would endeavour to make it happen. They are still there though...

[bensonby]

Thing is, aren't phone boxes the responsibility of the phone company rather than the council?

[Robin Orton]

Thing is, aren't phone boxes the responsibility of the phone company rather than the council?

We've been here before: http://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... box#p73221

[mikej]

Can we keep this thread on-topic please?

[Robin Orton]

Can we keep this thread on-topic please?

Why? If you've got something else interesting to say about cycle parking, what's stopping you saying it? Just ignore the distractions.

[hairybuddha]

I hope they'll be in sensible places, so that we can still have a market and so as
not to impede disabled pedestrians and those with prams.

By the station would seem a good place and in the Girton road car park.

The pavements seem to me to be far too cluttered with advertising stands, filthy phone boxes and ill placed telecoms boxes.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Love this comment. Love it.

Yes, the High St is too cluttered so let's restrict the cycle parking to Station Rd and the CAR PARK behind the High St. HIlarious. So if we arrive by car we can take our pick of on street parking right outside the shops but if we arrive by bike we best stay out the way. Space is limited and I agree we should reduce clutter so may I draw everyone's attention to this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carltonreid/6440857817/

[marymck]

I don't believe HB is thick, so I can only assume he's twisting my meaning in an attempt to wind me up again or to be funny. Nice try HB, but I'm not taking the bait and I've more faith in the readers of this forum to see that I did NOT suggest restricting cycles to the car park and the station ONLY. In fact there are already, as Stuart has pointed out, some cycle racks on the pavements. If these are in sensible positions and do not impede pedestrians, I'm certainly not advocating they be removed. There may even be yet more places where either cycle racks and motorcycle or mobility scooter parks can sensibly be installed.

And as I have said elsewhere - and not just on the forum, where many hide their true names, but face to face - that I believe on street car parking should be for the disabled only. Those of us lucky enough to have the use of our legs should use the car park. I would have hoped right minded cyclists not too lazy to do the same, thereby keeping the pavements uncluttered for the less blessed.


[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[stuart]

And as I have said elsewhere - and not just on the forum, where many hide their true names, but face to face - that I believe on street car parking should be for the disabled only. Those of us lucky enough to have the use of our legs should use the car park. I would have hoped right minded cyclists not too lazy to do the same, thereby keeping the pavements uncluttered for the less blessed.

Mary - how I do agree with you on Sydenham Road car parking for the disabled and deliveries only. There are not enough empty spaces convenient to where they need to shop (or deliver). We share the same Nirvana. If only we were not almost alone on this one.

But sorry, I am also one of your lazy cyclists. Correction - I'm lazy period. If I had to park in the car park - I'd do so in my car. Is that what you want? Most people use bicycles because they are more convenient. Remove the convenience and you remove the cyclist. Some people would be very happy with that!

The bottom line is if you are serious about engineering a modal shift in transport - you have to change the convenience options. Ken did that in spades by proliferating bus lanes. A pain and inconvenience to motorists but a huge success in expanding bus passenger numbers. If you want to bring a bit of Amsterdam and Copenhagen to Sydenham Road then we need to think how people will get there and move about. If, like me, you want to cross from Shop A to Shop B then what is the real barrier? It isn't bike stands - its a long walk round to use a crossing controlled by traffic (unlike the old pedestrian controlled zebras) or you have to pick your way between two lines of cars which makes spotting a suitable gap in traffic a tad hazardous.

IMHO that's one reason why Sydenham Road has such a low footfall.

Stuart

[hairybuddha]

Mary - Apologies if I misunderstood or misrepresented your position. Given the width of the pavements, especially on the Co-op side, I'm sure we can do better than the two locations you mention in addition to existing parking.

Here's an idea. Restrict the on street parking to disabled (as you suggest) and limited deliveries only. Whilst at the same time removing 1/3 of the existing on street spaces and using the space instead for cycle parking. You could then remove the existing pavement bike parking and further reduce clutter. It's a win win win.

I hope I'm not thick, though I've been accused of worse..... And I don't hide my identity. I use a pseudonym that I use in many other places on the internet. There are people on here that know my name and, if you're really interested, it wouldn't take more than a minute or two on google to crack the code

[maestro]

We share the same Nirvana.

Well you certainly had some cheek in criticising me for driving a Prius.

[dickp]

A sensible distribution of bike racks would also be useful for us dog-owners, who now have less place to tie up their mutts on the decluttered high street when popping from shop to shop on foot.

*awaits grief from those who assume my dog will invariably be nicked / bite a small child while tied up*

[mikej]

I have tried emailing this Tom Henry character at lewisham as suggested by Jonathan Har - no reply yet! Will obv. report back if hear anything.

Does anyone know if Councillor Chris Best reads this forum? It would be nice to hear from her on this subject.

[mikej]

Have heard back from Lewisham on this subject:

I am the Engineer working in Sydenham,

The Bike racks outside the co-op will be installed next week in a similar position to where they were. The rest of the racks will be installed over the next couple of weeks.

Sorry for any inconvenience,

[stuart]

Oh dear. Surely the sensible place is to move it up to opposite the entrance on the build out. More convenient for cyclists and out of the way of pedestrians. Win, win.

Do you agree?

Stuart